Journalism of Courage
The red corridor is expanding with three southern states Karnataka,Tamil Nadu and Kerala trying to get the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) status from the Centre. The move,which comes ahead of next years Lok Sabha polls,is based on intelligence reports suggesting that the CPI (Maoist) is trying to strengthen its South West regional bureau in the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu,Kerala and Karanataka.
The grant of LWE status would mean extension of special infrastructure schemes (SIS),security related expenditure (SRE) and integrated action plan (IAP) schemes.
Currently,there are nine states covered under the Central schemes,which also include raising an anti-Naxal force,assistance to build roads and civic action programme. Under the SIS in LWE-affected states,the Centre has allocated Rs 500 crore,while for SRE funds are provided for meeting the recurring expenditure related to insurance,training and operational needs of the security forces and rehabilitation of LWE cadres. The IAP scheme for tribal and backward districts entitles a sum of Rs 30 crore for each district.
The threat posed by Maoists in southern states was also discussed during the ongoing police chiefs conference in New Delhi. According to security agencies,Naxals aim to develop some districts in the three states with a view to provide shelter to its leadership in the event of increased anti-Naxal operations in its strongholds in central India. Out of the nine states,Chhattisgarh,Jharkhand and Bihar are the worst affected,where government is fighting armed squads of Naxals with the help of Central paramilitary forces.
The MHA has also written to the governments of the three states informing them about the activities of the CPI (Maoist).
According to MHA,the presence of Maoist groups has been noticed on 15 occasions in the districts of Malappuram,Wayanand and Kannur districts in Kerala,and in Mysore,Kodagu,Udupi,Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts in Karnataka. Similarly,activities of Maoists front bodies have increased in Erode district in Tamil Nadu. In these areas,the cadres of CPI (Maoists) were were trying to reach out to the targeted social sections by raising issues of displacement,discrimination,neo-liberal economic policies and social subjugation while exhorting them to join the revolutionary struggle to recapture forest,water,land and factories, said one of the communications.
The Centre also advised the states to develop anti-Naxal forces. In its letter,the MHA said,The financial incentive for personnel in anti-Naxal units is perhaps only 20%of the basic salary,whereas in all the LWE affected states,the incentives ranges from 50-60% of the total salary. The state can consider enhancing the incentive. The forces in these units are ageing with most of the personnel above 35 years. This factor wo-uld vastly impair their mobility. Since,this a deputationist force,there appears to be need for infusion of younger fresh blood.
